Hi Ian, Consult the MCA mca.gov.uk or try one of the nautical college sea survival schools SOLAS 74 will have what you are looking for - but as i'm sure you will know by now IMO resolutions are very long winded. is it navagable water? see COLREGS for the definition of navagable water and ships. Think you need to approach it from either water craft, or navagable water - then SOLAS 74 applies - ergo lifejacket! Yours aye Db

In the UK (and I appreciate you are not) then the legislative authority for such working is the HSE, not the MCA as the worker is shore-based and primarily working from the shore. Even if working from a boat, then the MOU still means that the HSE would be the regulatory authority. Accordingly, references to SOLAS are misleading. It may well be that the same arrangements work in the country you are in. There is UK guidance on this subject on the HSE website. One point to remember is that workvests can be used for working - unless the lifejackets are inflatable, then they are not conducive to working. The prime reason for wearing lackets (life- or work-) is to preserve the life of the workman if he falls into the water. Looking at the risk assessment criteria, would a better option be to prevent the fall in the first place by either suitable edge protection or a fall arrest system? Are these not usable? Certainly in the marine business, we do not necessarily use lifejackets when working over the side, a good harness is often the better option (cannot get swept away by tides etc!)

Thanks Colin, The different RA's do reflect the different tasks, and the controls vary accordingly sometimes a harness and fall protection is not appropriate, but where they are they're used (usually our scaffs) equally there times when the vest is not apppropriate, the trouble is where vests are identified in the RA's and used they are using a type that does not have sufficient buouancy to bring the guy back to surface or more importanly right him if he's face down in the ogin. I'm not sure how familar you are but they are using the old 3 peice foam type about 2 inches thick. The contractors argument being these are USCG approved.... Picture a rigger (PPE, Boots, workbelt, ect) on the edge of an an open barge, where ever possible we'll get them to install running lines or use anchor points and harness, sometimes even scaff it if necessary particualrly if its something like a pipe rack or large load but there are times when there is very little option other than a vest. Paticularly if its a short job (ALARP) Ideally I'd like to see the guys wearing 275n vests but the contractor is simply not going to fund it. I'd even settle for the lower rated 150's. On the bigger, longer jobs, scaffolding is errected or running lines as appropriate, its the short jobs that worry me " the oh I'll just nip in and sort that" syndrome. We had two incidences last year (that I've been unable to prove but I know occured) where guys fell between the quayside and the barge during manoevering and fender operations, my worry is these short little jobs. I've already been down the " look if these guys go in the ogin they'll sink " argument and although the contractor agreed its seen as well we don't HAVE to comply and its expensive so we wont. If I can find some sort of industry guide or best practice thats recognised internationally, eg SOLAS or IMCA or IMO then I've got a better chance of being sucessful.... Best Wishes Ian PS I've also got IOSH Tech help on the case so if they throw anything back we've not thought of I'll post it up here....

Sometimes you can't see the wood for the trees.... Spot on idea ! Many Thanks.

I used to sell Aspli, Mullion and Crewsaver lifejackets and associated equipment / floatation garments to oil and gas, fishing and general maritime industries. As a rule of thumb I tended to err on the side of safety and recommend 150N for work within harbour limits and/or controlled waters as it should self right the person (there are still variables to consider here). Lesser newton values are less likely to do this so use this in your risk assessment. 250N generally for work at sea in uncontrolled waters. The following is a pretty useful document from RNLI which I hope will help you. Also note reference to ISO standard for lifejackets...Not statutory but may be worth investigating at: http://www.iso.org/iso/i...amp;ICS2=340&ICS3=70 http://www.rnli.org.uk/a...ackets%20trawling-LR.pdf GC Gary